Friday, October 12, 2012

London Calling

London has so many fun neighborhoods and spots to eat and see and be, I feel like we only experienced a little bit of it, which is a testament to all the great things the city has to offer. Here are a few:

We had several really delicious breakfasts in London, but my favorite was at The Modern Pantry. It's a beautiful space, and my soft-boiled eggs and soldiers and breakfast tea hit the spot.

We felt the need for all the quintessential/touristy London experiences, seeing Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, riding in a double-decker bus and attending a soccer match, very important to that guy I was with.

Jonah and I consider ourselves connoisseurs when it comes to chicken tikka masala, and the dish at Punjab was top notch.

Between all the quirky shops and brightly colored buildings, Notting Hill is a fun neighborhood to explore, and while you're there, daydreaming about Hugh Grant is totally allowed.

Jamie Oliver's Fifteen is an Italian restaurant, which employs under-qualified young people and trains them to be chefs. It was packed on a Friday night, so we ate our delicious antipasti, ravioli and pork loin at the bar. Great food and a really cool place.

My friend Ann, an American who lived in London for a few years, suggested going to the Broadway Market on a Saturday. It was full of yummy baked things, produce, meat, handmade items, clothes, live music and incredibly friendly locals.

London and Paris were highlights of our trip home (Scotland and Ireland) earlier this year so nice to revisit with you. Your London breakfast spot is run by a New Zealander (where we now live) - looks worth visiting on next trip. We enjoyed walking along the Thames (lucky to have a family member who knew a lot of the history of the area). Marylebone High Street has a nice "villagey" feel and good shops. I like exploring "behind the scenes" - the back streets. Shops are more interesting.